Venue: Council Chamber - Port Talbot Civic Centre. View directions
Contact: Charlotte Davies 01639 763745 Email: c.l.davies2@npt.gov.uk
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Declarations of Interests Minutes: The following
Member made a declaration of interest at the commencement of the meeting:
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To receive and note the Leisure and Culture Scrutiny Sub Committee Minutes PDF 74 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The
Committee noted the Minutes of the Leisure and Culture Sub Committee that was
held on 23 January 2018, 15 February 2018, 24 April 2018 and 26 June 2018. |
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Report
of the Head of Participation Minutes: (Members
agreed to discuss Agenda Item 3 of the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny
Committee, in line with Agenda Item 4 of the Education, Skills and Culture
Cabinet Board) Members
were provided with an update on the Mapping of Current Youth
Service Provision and information on the School Holiday Enrichment Programme
(SHEP) Programme. Members were also updated on the Local Authority Youth
Service. Members
asked what the criteria was for choosing the locations for the Community Based
Youth Clubs within Neath Port Talbot. Officers explained that areas were chosen
on population and what facilities are available. Officers added that liaisons
take place with the Community Safety Partnership and the Police to ensure that
areas of anti-social behaviour issues were considered. Members noted that due
to the budget restraints the numbers of youth clubs had decreased. Members
queried whether in the event that a youth club had low attendance could the
club be relocated to an area with more demand. Officers explained that a recent
survey of young people had identified their preference for youth cafes, as a
result a pilot was being undertaken in Bryn and Cwmavon
Wards which had the highest attendance at youth clubs. Monitoring of the
current provision would take place to ensure that youth clubs were utilised to
their full potential, but due to the budget restraints there was no funding
available to provide additional youth clubs.
Members
highlighted that on page 26 of the report the table did not include any
information on the number of staff in the youth clubs. Officers informed the
Committee that the information would be circulated to them. Members
asked whether the Youth Clubs were managed by a Youth Leader. Officers
confirmed that they were managed by qualified Youth Leaders Members
asked whether youth clubs took place during term time. Officers confirmed that
youth clubs only took place during term time; however Officers did search for
funding to provide youth clubs outside of term time. Members
highlighted additional activities that took place within the Aberavon Ward such
as Kidzsport and Bulldogs Boxing Club. Members asked
if there was an opportunity to arrange transport for youth clubs to be accessed
by areas that did not have any provision. Discussion took place on the need for
either a one day inquiry or a Member Task and Finish Group to look at Transport
options. Officers explained that transport was provided previously but was very
staff intensive so was not cost effective. Members
also queried whether other transport options could be considered, for example
using school buses. It was also suggested whether there was an opportunity to
use community transport. Officers agreed to investigate other options and bring
a report back to Members for consideration at a future date. Discussion
took place on the opportunities that partners could offer in joint working by
running a youth club by sharing staff resources. Members asked whether grant funding from Welsh Government would continue. Officers explained that they were still awaiting confirmation. Welsh Government had indicated that ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |
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Pre-Scrutiny Minutes: The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:- Cabinet
Board Proposals 4.1 Childcare Facilities within Schools in
Neath Port Talbot Members
were updated on the current situation with regard to childcare facilities
located on school sites. Members were also provided with a list of childcare
provisions currently occupying surplus space within schools throughout the
County Borough within appendix A to the circulated report. Member’s
queried how many children attended the services provided at each school.
Officers explained that the information wasn’t available as the information was
not collected; however officers provided information on the number of children
that were registered. Members
complimented officers on their hard work within the department. Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of
the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board. 4.2 Pupil Attendance Members
were provided with information and data in relation to Neath Port Talbot pupil
attendance and persistent absenteeism. Members
asked whether there was any data on unauthorised absences relating to non-attendance
due to holidays. Officers highlighted that this had been a theme for many
years. It was noted that data did not exist on this as schools’ only recorded
authorised and unauthorised holidays. It was highlighted that this had
previously been reported to the Committee. Members
asked whether they could do anything to help increase attendance. Officers
explained that schools were very firm and refused requests for holidays during
term time. In addition, the Director of
Education had sent a letter to every family in Neath Port Talbot, explaining
the importance of attendance at school which had made a positive impact. The
Chair informed the committee that a letter had been received from a Member of
Neath Port Talbot Council highlighting that the authority had the joint-second
lowest attendance figures compared with other Welsh authorities. The Committee
was asked to consider having information on the comparative figures, to see if
there were problems in particular schools and or areas which could be
addressed. It was noted that it would be appropriate to raise this concern
under this item and to allow Members an opportunity if they wished to take this
concern further. Officers
explained that there would be absenteeism in all schools due to illness and
that the Authority was proactive in improving attendance. It was noted that
Neath Port Talbot were ranked at 19th Place last year; however 15th
place was less than a third of a single percentage point. It was highlighted to
Members that data could be perceived in many different ways. Officers also
explained that the authority was doing excellent in concentrating on persistent
absentees. Following this information, Members felt that they did not want to
take further action in relation to the concern raised regarding attendance at
schools. Members
asked if there was a school closure and children were moved to a different
school as a result, would this affect their attendance. Officers confirmed that
school closures did not go against pupil attendance figures. Members asked would a child’s attendance rate be affected if they were ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
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Forward Work Programme 2018/19 PDF 154 KB Minutes: Members
asked for information on Staff Training prior to the inclusion of a report on
the Forward Work Programme. |